NCAA Football Rankings 2011: 3 Top 25 Teams That Are BCS Dark Horses

In college football, there is a tendency to focus on the top couple teams of the AP Top 25 poll while forgetting about the dark-horse teams outside the top five. Here are three teams that will crash the BCS party thanks to fast starts and manageable schedules.

No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska is coming off an impressive 51-38 victory over previously undefeated Washington last week and face Wyoming, who are also without a loss, next weekend. A win in that game would set up a titanic clash against Wisconsin in Week 5.

The Cornhuskers are led by dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez. The sophomore has nine touchdowns through three games, but will need to improve his passing efficiency if Nebraska are going to remain in the BCS hunt.

Remaining roadblocks: Oct. 1 at Wisconsin, Oct. 29 vs. Michigan State and Nov. 19 at Michigan

No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech stands at 3-0 and have done it with offensive explosions (Appalachian State) and late defensive stands (East Carolina). It's that all-around ability that has Hokie fans dreaming of a record-breaking season in Blacksburg.

Junior running back David Wilson is the main reason the Hokies are legitimate contenders for BCS glory. Wilson is averaging more than six yards per carry and already has four touchdowns on the young season. If Logan Thomas can step his game up a bit moving forward, Virginia Tech will be a force.

Remaining roadblocks: Oct. 1 vs. Clemson, Oct. 8 vs. Miami (FL) and Nov. 10 at Georgia Tech

No. 16 West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia doesn't have to wait much longer for its judgment day as they play No. 2 LSU at home on Saturday. The Mountaineers went on the road and knocked off Maryland, giving them a chance to make a huge statement in the late national game on ABC next weekend.

Geno Smith has been the epitome of efficiency through three weeks, completing 70 percent of his passes for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith has no shortage of big-play threats, with six different receivers catching touchdowns already in 2011.

That offense will be given a huge test by the Tigers' vaunted defense. If it passes that test, the odds of a BCS berth go through the roof for the Mountaineers.

Remaining roadblocks: Sept. 24 vs. LSU and Dec. 1 at South Florida